Maryville, MO Rape Case Reopens

MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Public outcry has reopened an investigation into a suspected sexual assault case nearly two years after the original accusation.

MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Public outcry is helping reopen an investigation into a suspected sexual assault case nearly two years after the original accusation.

Missouri's Lieutenant Governor, Peter Kinder, is calling for a grand jury to review the controversial case.

It all started back in January of 2012 when one boy, then 17 years old, was accused of sexually assaulting 14 year old Daisy Coleman.

KOLR10 does not typically name rape victims, but Daisy and her mother have been giving interviews in hopes of giving this case more attention as they seek justice.

Another boy was accused of recording the crime on his phone.

Police records indicate that Coleman, then 14 years old, snuck out of her home with her 13 year old friend. They went to hang out with older boys from school.

Daisy says she was handed alcohol and that's the last thing she remembers.

She was found lying on the family's front lawn the next morning in below freezing temperatures.

Her friend was also allegedly raped, but her case was settled in juvenile court.

Charges originally filed against the three suspects were later dropped due to "insufficient evidence."

There are accusations of a cover up, small town politics and brushing accusations under the rug. This all has people in Maryville and around the country upset.

"The public trusts in our criminal justice system," says Nodaway County Prosecutor Robert Rice. "They trust the criminal justice system will be upheld at all times. Based on the witnesses willingness to testify in court and to uphold public trust, I have asked the court to appoint a special prosecuting attorney to conduct an independent review of the facts and determine whether to refile charges."

The Colemans have moved out of Maryville but in April their Maryville home, which has been vacant and for sale, burned.

The State Fire Marshal said due to the unsafe nature of the structure, a detailed examination could not be conducted and the fire loss was listed as "undetermined."

A peaceful protest in support of Daisy Coleman is planned next week at the Nodaway County Courthouse.